Packages with bows on them on green table
Campus Life

Holiday Gift Guide

In search of holiday gift ideas? The guide below contains a collection of beachy, do-it-yourself gifts, Aggie gear from the Galveston bookstore and ways to give back to the Aggie family.
December 12, 2024 | by Megan Cornett '23, '26, Division of Marketing & Communications
Packages with bows on them on green table A gift guide with something for everyone on your list!

Do-It-Yourself Gifts

Completed seashell ornament hanging on Christmas tree
Clear Ornament, Sand, Seashells, and E6000 glue on white background
Sand in clear ornament
Seashells and sand in clear ornament

Seashell Ornament

Supplies: Clear ornament, sand, seashells, E600 glue

  1. Clean the ornament with rubbing alcohol and let it dry.
  2. Add a small amount of sand (be careful not to add too much, as it can make the ornament too heavy or bury the seashells).
  3. Drop in the seashells and adjust how you want them to sit on the sand.
  4. Before securing the cap, apply the E6000 glue to prevent the weight of the sand from pulling the cap off while the ornament is hanging.
    • Optional: Add decor to the cap for a festive charm!
Completed driftwood and seashell windchime hanging from tree outside
Twine, driftwood, seashells, and scissors on white background
Driftwood with wrapped twine and seashells on white background
Seashells tied to twine hanging from driftwood on a white background
Driftwood and seashell windchime finsished product in front of a white background

Driftwood & Seashell Windchime

Supplies: Seashells, driftwood, twine

  1. Scrub your seashells to remove any dirt or debris. Let them dry completely before proceeding.
  2. Hang the seashells using twine looped through the holes (either drilled or those naturally occurring from predators) in the shells.
    • The shells can be strung in a row, each shell on its own string, or shells can overlap; be creative!
  3. Once all the seashells are strung as desired, secure the seashell strings to the base by tying the twine around the driftwood.
    • Use a small amount of glue to secure shells or twine where necessary.
  4. Tie a piece of twine to the driftwood to allow the windchime to be hung up.
Completed seaglass picture frame placed on windowsill
Green seaglass, E6000 glue, and picture frame on white background

Seaglass Picture Frame

Supplies: Picture frame, sea glass, E600 glue

  1. Remove the glass and mat from the picture frame before beginning.
  2. Lay out the sea glass pieces on the frame to determine how you want them to be placed.
  3. Once you have the pieces in position, pick up each piece individually and place a small drop of glue to adhere the sea glass to the picture frame.
  4. Let the pieces dry completely before moving the picture frame.
Completed oyster shell trinket dish sitting on Shell Beach
Gold paint, oyster shell, paint brush, Mod Podge, decorative napkins, and white paint on a white background
Paint brush, white painted oyster shell, and white paint on a white background
Texas A&M-Galveston student painting Mod Podge onto oyster shell covered in decorative napkin
Oyster shell with decorative napkin and gold painted rim on a white background

Oyster Shell Trinket Dish

Supplies: Oyster shell, paint brush, white acrylic paint, Mod Podge, gold paint, napkin or tissue paper with pattern or design

  1. Take a clean oyster shell and paint the inside of the shell with a thin layer of white paint. Allow to completely dry before painting another thin layer.
  2. Take your napkin or tissue paper and carefully separate the layers.
    • The layer with the design will be glued to the shell.
  3. Paint a thin layer of Mod Podge to the inside of the shell before carefully placing the paper flat to avoid creases or tearing.
  4. Paint another thin layer of Mod Podge on top of the paper and spread carefully. This will secure the paper to the oyster shell. Be sure to coat the entire paper so that the edges do not peel up. Allow the paper to dry before continuing.
  5. Once the inside has completely dried, trim the paper around the rim of the oyster shell (this does not need to be perfect as the gold paint will cover it).
  6. Paint the entire rim of the oyster shell (top and bottom) with the gold paint and allow it to dry completely.

Bookstore Gift Guide

The Texas A&M at Galveston bookstore is the ultimate destination for holiday gift shopping, featuring a curated selection of thoughtful and practical gifts for your loved ones. From a variety of branded apparel to stylish accessories, there’s something for everyone to showcase their Sea Aggie spirit!

Maroon College of Marine Sciences & Maritime Studies and poinsettia sitting on windowsill
College of Marine Sciences & Maritime Studies T-Shirt
Grey Texas-shaped Texas A&M-Galveston ornament on Christmas tree
Texas A&M Slate Ornament
Maroon and Grey Texas A&M Maritime Academy crewnecks
Maritime Academy Crew Fleece
Blue Texas A&M Maritime Academy tumbler with white anchors, Maroon Texas A&M Maritime Academy mug, and Black Texas A&M Maritime Academy Tumbler with straw and handle
Left to Right: Blue Tumbler, Maroon Mug, Black Tumbler
Black Texas A&M-Galveston binder on shelf
A&M Galveston Black Ring Binder
Maroon Texas A&M-Galveston mug and black College of Marine Sciences & Maritime Studies Tumbler
Left to Right: Maroon Mug, Black Tumbler

Texas A&M Foundation

Do you have a Sea Aggie in your life that you’re not sure what to get this holiday season? The Foundation has several initiatives that directly benefit the Galveston Campus. To explore ways to give, visit the Texas A&M Foundation Online Giving Portal.

To learn more about the Foundation and its purpose, check out the recent story from bldg. 311 featuring Senior Director of Development for the Texas A&M Foundation, Jason Tieman ’97.

Media Contact

Division of Marketing & Communications
marcom@tamug.edu